INVESTIGATION OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN EASTERN DRC Female inpatient ward at Panzi Hospital (Susan Bartels, HHI) THEME: RAPE IN THE PRESENCE OF FAMILY MEMBERS In some instances, the victim’s family members were forced to watch her being raped. These family members were most often the husband, the children or the mother/father-in-law. Many women who were raped in the presence of their family members specifically mentioned the additional shame of having had family members witness the attack. “We were hiding among the banana trees. The soldiers found us there and raped me in the presence of my children. Since then, I feel ashamed when I am around my children.” “It was February 2008. It was the middle of the night and we were sleeping when our house was attacked. They demanded that we open the door and when we did, six assailants entered, four well armed with guns and two others in training. They forced my husband to transport their things to the forest. One of my children was left behind but he followed us, bringing $30 so that we could be freed. The assailants cut my son’s fingers causing him to loose a lot of blood. Six men raped me in front of my husband and they forced my husband to hold my legs while they raped me. Now I have lumbar pain and anorexia.” “I was at home with my husband and children when we were attacked. The assailants took turns raping me in the presence of my family. My husband and children abandoned me because of the shame caused by this rape.” 23